American Airlines sued by 16 passengers over Denver engine fire

Core Viewpoint - Sixteen passengers are suing American Airlines for negligence and extreme conduct after a flight incident where an engine caught fire, leading to injuries and an emergency evacuation [1][3]. Incident Summary - On March 13, American Flight 1006 took off from Colorado Springs but reported engine vibrations shortly after takeoff, leading to a diversion to Denver International Airport [2]. - The aircraft landed an hour later, and after taxiing, the engine caught fire, prompting an emergency evacuation where 12 passengers were hospitalized [2]. Legal Allegations - The lawsuit filed in Colorado District Court accuses American Airlines of three counts of negligence and one count of gross extreme and outrageous conduct [3]. - It questions the pilots' decision-making, including the timing of declaring an emergency and the choice not to return to Colorado Springs [3]. - The suit highlights maintenance issues, including a leaking engine and a failed emergency slide deployment [10]. NTSB Findings - The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report indicated that fluid was leaking from the engine while taxiing, and the Mayday was only declared after the fire ignited [4]. - The report also noted a fractured fan blade and improperly fastened components that contributed to the fuel leak [10]. Passenger Experience - Passengers described a chaotic evacuation, with one plaintiff, a pregnant woman, attempting to protect her child during the incident [8][9]. Next Steps - The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial, with a scheduling conference set for November 3 [10].